FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It's taken most of Labor Day Weekend, but it's starting to sink in for Matt Prater.
The Falcons kicker, who signed with the team Wednesday night -- around 48 hours before kicking two field goals, including the game-winner, in a 13-10 victory over Baltimore -- final has a stable NFL home.
The 23-year-old Ohio native welcomes the opportunity the Falcons gave him when final roster spots were announced over the weekend and is ready to show what he can do in a regular-season game.
"I don't really know what there is to say, I'm just excited to be here," Prater said Monday. "I've kind of bounced around working out with teams and trying to figure out where I could go to get the best opportunity to win a job. I went to Miami (and) learned a lot. I did some kickoffs in the preseason and then was released. Then I came here for a workout and they liked me and signed me.
"I made the team and I'm excited. Hopefully I can stay here and kick well."
The Falcons were watching Prater's career for some time. Head Coach Bobby Petrino said special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg knew of the Central Florida product and his strong leg. The team plans to use Prater on kickoffs and field goals, giving punter Michael Koenen a chance to focus solely on punting for the first time in his career.
He's a guy that Jerry had his eye on for a long time," Petrino said. "I think it's a decision, once we got him here and really saw the ability that he has and he hit that one big kick in the game, that we felt that was the best thing for our franchise.
"As soon as we started kicking Mike on kickoffs his punt performance went down. For him to have the ability to focus on his punting, when you saw he wasn't doing both in the games the difference, statistically, was amazing. That had something to (do) with it. but, also, we really feel like Prater can line up and make the field goals we want and hopefully be here for a long time."
Prater was with the Miami Dolphins, but released Aug. 27. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent of the Detroit Lions in 2006. Prater appeared in 46 games at Central Florida and is tied for first in school history with 50 career field goals. He hit kicks of 33 and 45 against Baltimore, but had one miss from 44 yards out.
Prater has not kicked in a regular-season NFL game but his workout washed away any doubts the team had about his ability.
"I thought I kicked pretty well," Prater said. "It could always be better. It could always be a lot worse, too. So I thought I did pretty well. Coach Petrino was out there and he liked me. He actually cut the workout short so I'd have something left in me for the game (Friday night)."
"I was just out competing and having fun, trying to get a feel to the team," he added about the preseason finale. "The main thing was just getting some tape and more experience and go from there. I'm just excited to be here."
INJURY UPDATE: Tight end Alge Crumpler sat out the team's workout Monday afternoon, but Petrino said he's confident the Pro Bowler will be in action later in the week and at Minnesota.
"I think Alge is going to be in good shape. He took the day off because he did some work over the weekend making sure he's ready to go by Wednesday. He'll get that work in throughout the week."
The coach said defensive tackle Rod Coleman's status for Sunday at Minnesota is "still up in the air." He said veteran safety Chris Crocker, who suffered a bone bruise in the third preseason game against the Bengals, will be ready to practice Wednesday.
ADDITIONS AND SUBTRACTIONS: The Falcons announced the signing of defensive tackle Remi Ayodele, offensive lineman D’Anthony Batiste and running back Artose Pinner Monday afternoon. The team waived linebacker Jordan Beck and running back Jason Snelling.
The Falcons also established a seven-player practice squad consisting of quarterback Casey Bramlet, defensive back Brent Grimes, wide receivers Eric Weems and Todd Watkins, offensive lineman Kurt Quarterman, linebacker Travis Williams and tight end George Cooper.
Click here for more information.
NUMBER SWAPS: As is customary after the roster gets cut down, two players changed numbers. Prater, who wore No. 6 in the preseason finale, will wear No. 1 going forward. Reserve linebacker Tony Taylor has switched to No. 53.
